Kidnapping suspect found dead near Eau Claire

Police say Mitchell Owens grabbed a Mukwonago Walmart employee at gunpoint, and the woman escaped at a gas station in Eau Claire. Meanwhile, following a police chase through the town of Seymour, Owens crashed his car and ran off into a wooded area where police later found him dead.

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"They did a final push into a heavily wooded area, and found Mitchell and the rifle that we suspected that he had," Cramer said.

Residents were allowed to return to their homes Tuesday afternoon.

Owens is accused of abducting an East Troy woman, who worked at the Mukwonago Walmart, at gunpoint in early Monday and driving to Eau Claire, where she escaped unharmed at a gas station.

Mukwonago police told WISN 12 News she is home with her family and is physically OK. They said they will not identify her.

Late Tuesday afternoon, her family released this statement: "We offer our condolences to the family of Mitchell Owens. As parents, we know this is devastating for them. We ask you to please respect our request for privacy. Thank you."

Some Walmart workers told WISN 12 News the Owens and the victim knew each other from work. Police said they're still investigating the connection.